U.S. patent number 10,146,049 [Application Number 15/468,596] was granted by the patent office on 2018-12-04 for cold weather camera kit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FLIR Systems, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is FLIR SYSTEMS, INC.. Invention is credited to John H. Distelzweig, Norman A. Hannotte, Kai Moncino.
United States Patent |
10,146,049 |
Moncino , et al. |
December 4, 2018 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Cold weather camera kit
Abstract
Various embodiments of the present disclosure may include an
imaging system that includes a de-icing assembly. The de-icing
assembly may include a de-icing window and a window frame. The
de-icing window may be constructed from Float Zone Silicon, single
crystal sapphire, and/or germanium. The de-icing assembly may be
coupled to a lens barrel of a camera. Heat generated by a heater
element of the camera may be conducted via the housing and the lens
barrel of the camera to the de-icing assembly. The heated de-icing
assembly may prevent the formation of ice on the de-icing window by
conducting heat to the de-icing window.
Inventors: |
Moncino; Kai (Santa Barbara,
CA), Distelzweig; John H. (Santa Barbara, CA), Hannotte;
Norman A. (Santa Barbara, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FLIR SYSTEMS, INC. |
Wilsonville |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
FLIR Systems, Inc.
(Wilsonville, OR)
|
Family
ID: |
59959354 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/468,596 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170285335 A1 |
Oct 5, 2017 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
62317363 |
Apr 1, 2016 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
27/00 (20130101); G03B 17/55 (20130101); G02B
7/028 (20130101); G02B 27/0006 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
27/00 (20060101); G03B 17/55 (20060101); G02B
7/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;359/820 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Alexander; William R
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Haynes and Boone, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/317,363 filed Apr. 1, 2016
and entitled "COLD WEATHER CAMERA KIT," which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus comprising: a lens barrel; a camera lens disposed
within the lens barrel; a de-icing assembly comprising a window
frame and a de-icing window coupled to the window frame, wherein
the de-icing window is directly thermally conductively coupled to
the window frame and the window frame is directly thermally
conductively coupled to the lens barrel; and a heater element
thermally conductively coupled to the lens barrel.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the de-icing assembly is
configured to be decoupled from the lens barrel.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the window frame comprises a
substantially cylindrical window body, the window body comprises a
window frame threaded portion, and the lens barrel comprises a lens
barrel threaded portion configured to receive the window frame
threaded portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sealed volume
defined, at least in part, by the lens barrel, the camera lens, and
the de-icing assembly and a gasket disposed, at least in part,
between the lens barrel and the de-icing assembly, wherein the
gasket is configured to seal the sealed volume.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power source
coupled to the heater element and configured to power the heater
element.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a non-transitory
memory and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to read
instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations
comprising: detect a temperature of the de-icing window and/or an
environment around the de-icing window; determine whether the
temperature is below a threshold temperature; and provide,
responsive to determining that the temperature is below a threshold
temperature, instructions to power the heater element with the
power source.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an environmental
temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the
environment and provide temperature data to the processor, wherein
the processor is configured to, at least in part, detect the
temperature of the environment from the temperature data.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a window
temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the
de-icing window and provide temperature data to the processor,
wherein the processor is configured to, at least in part, detect
the temperature of the de-icing window from the temperature
data.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a non-transitory
memory and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to read
instructions from the non-transitory memory to perform operations
comprising: detect formation of ice on the de-icing window; and
provide, responsive to detecting formation of ice, instructions to
power the heater element with the power source.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an ice detection
sensor configured to detect formation of ice on the de-icing window
and provide, responsive to detecting formation of ice, data to the
processor indicating formation of ice on the de-icing window,
wherein the processor is configured to, at least in part, detect
formation of the ice from the data.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater element is coupled
to an interior of the lens barrel.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera lens comprises a
first material and the de-icing window comprises a second material
different from the first material.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second material is float
zone silicon, sapphire, and/or germanium and the first material is
Chalcogenide.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an imager
configured to receive image data of at least a scene and output
image data associated with the scene, wherein the imager is
configured to receive image data in an infrared wavelength.
15. An apparatus comprising: a window frame comprising a
substantially cylindrical window body, wherein the window body
comprises a first end and a second end and at least the second end
is configured to be coupled to a lens barrel; and a de-icing window
at least partially disposed within the window frame, wherein the
de-icing window is configured to be directly thermally conductively
coupled to the window frame and the window frame is configured to
be directly thermally conductively coupled to the lens barrel.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least the second end of
the window body comprises a threaded portion configured to be
threaded onto a portion of the lens barrel.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the de-icing window
comprises a first material and the window frame comprises a second
material.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first material is float
zone silicon, sapphire, and/or germanium.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the second material is a
plastic and/or a metal.
20. A method of installing the apparatus of claim 15 comprising:
inserting a gasket, at least in part, within a lens barrel;
thermally conductively coupling the de-icing window to the lens
barrel; coupling the window frame to the de-icing window; coupling
the window frame to the lens barrel; and sealing a volume with, at
least, the gasket.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
One or more embodiments of the invention relate generally to
imaging devices and more particularly to, for example, imaging
devices configured for cold weather.
BACKGROUND
In cold environments, ice build-up on lenses of imaging devices may
be problematic. As components of the imaging devices, such as the
lenses, are exposed to the cold and drop in temperature, moisture
within the air may condense on such components. Certain lenses may
have poor thermal conduction properties and so heating devices for
such lenses may be inefficient and/or poorly functioning. As a
result, there is a need for a cost effective solution to preventing
ice build-up on such lenses.
SUMMARY
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for providing an imaging
system with a de-icing assembly. In certain embodiments, an
apparatus may be provided. The apparatus may include a lens barrel,
a camera lens disposed within the lens barrel, a de-icing assembly
including a window frame and a de-icing window coupled to the
window frame, where the window frame is coupled to the lens barrel
and the de-icing window is thermally conductively coupled to the
lens barrel and a heater element thermally conductively coupled to
the lens barrel.
In certain other embodiments, another apparatus may be provided.
The apparatus may include a window frame including a substantially
cylindrical window body, where the window body includes a first end
and a second end and at least the second end is configured to be
coupled to a lens barrel and a de-icing window at least partially
disposed within the window frame, where the de-icing window is
configured to be thermally conductively coupled to the lens barrel
when the window frame is coupled to the lens barrel.
The scope of the invention is defined by the claims, which are
incorporated into this section by reference. A more complete
understanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to
those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional
advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed
description of one or more embodiments. Reference will be made to
the appended sheets of drawings that will first be described
briefly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an imaging system in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates a camera in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a camera with an installed de-icing system in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway view of a camera with an installed
de-icing system in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure.
FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a process of assembling an
imaging system with a de-icing system and operating the de-icing
system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best
understood by referring to the detailed description that follows.
It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to
identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Techniques and mechanisms are provided in accordance with one or
more embodiments to de-ice or prevent icing of one or more lenses
of an imaging system. Certain embodiments may include a de-icing
assembly configured to be installed on the imaging system. The
de-icing assembly may include a de-icing window, a window frame,
and a gasket. The imaging system may include a lens barrel and a
camera lens. When installed, the de-icing window may be thermally
conductively coupled to the lens barrel (e.g., there may be a
conductive thermal circuit formed by, at least, the de-icing window
and the lens barrel). The lens barrel may be heated and the heat
may thus be conducted from the lens barrel to the de-icing window.
Accordingly, the lens barrel may conduct heat to the de-icing
window to de-ice or prevent the formation of ice on the de-icing
window.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an imaging system in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. Imaging system 100
in FIG. 1 may be used to capture and process image frames in
accordance with various techniques described herein.
Imaging system 100 includes a first camera 102 and a control device
104 in communication with the first camera 102. In certain
embodiments, components of the imaging system 100, such as the
first camera 102 and the control device 104, may be distributed
over one or multiple devices. Some such embodiments may distribute
one, some, or all of the components of imaging system 100 over the
cloud. Thus, in those embodiments, image processing may be
performed over the cloud, using one or multiple cloud devices, by
sending image data over the cloud. Once the image has been
processed, the image may be displayed or stored via an internet
service (such as on YouTube.RTM., Dropbox.RTM., Google Drive.RTM.,
etc.) or sent back to a user device and displayed or stored on the
user device. In various embodiments, either the first camera 102
and/or the control device 104 may be a camera, a camera suite, a
sensor suite, a smartphone, a computer, a server, a tablet, or
another type of electronic device.
In certain embodiments, the first camera 102 and the control device
104 may be coupled together. That is, the first camera 102 may be a
camera attachment that may be fitted or communicatively connected
(e.g., via Bluetooth) to the control device 104. The control device
104 may run an application that performs at least a portion of an
image processing procedure. In such an embodiment, the control
device 104 may be a smartphone, a tablet, a computer, or another
type of electronic device that may receive the camera attachment.
In certain embodiments, the camera attachment may be fitted via
connectors such as USE or Lightning Cable connectors. Other
embodiments may connect the first camera 102 and the control device
104 through a network connection, such as via Bluetooth, the
internet, Near Field Communications ("NFC"), Local Area Network
("LAN"), or other network connections.
In one embodiment, the first camera 102 includes a logic device
170, a local memory 180, an image capture component 130, optical
components 132, a first communication component 172, a sensing
component 160, and a heater element 162. The control device 104 may
include a processing component 110, a memory component 120, a
display component 140, a second communication component 152, and a
control component 150.
In various embodiments, the first camera 102 may be implemented as
an imaging device, such as a camera, to capture image frames of,
for example, a scene 170 (e.g., a field of view). The first camera
102 may represent any type of camera which, for example, detects
electromagnetic radiation (e.g., irradiance) and provides
representative data (e.g., one or more still image frames or video
image frames). For example, the first camera 102 may represent a
camera that is directed to detect one or more ranges (e.g.,
wavebands) of electromagnetic radiation and provide associated
image data. Imaging system 100 may include a portable device and
may be implemented, for example, as a handheld device and/or
coupled, in other examples, to various types of vehicles (e.g., a
land-based vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, a spacecraft, or
other vehicle) or to various types of fixed locations (e.g., a home
security mount, a campsite or outdoors mount, or other location)
via one or more types of mounts. In still another example, the
first camera 102 may be integrated as part of a non-mobile
installation to provide image frames to be stored and/or
displayed.
The logic device 170 and/or the processing component 110 may
include, for example, a microprocessor, a single-core processor, a
multi-core processor, a microcontroller, a logic device (e.g., a
programmable logic device configured to perform processing
operations), a digital signal processing (DSP) device, one or more
memories for storing executable instructions (e.g., software,
firmware, or other instructions), and/or or any other appropriate
combination of processing device and/or memory to execute
instructions to perform any of the various operations described
herein. The logic device 170 may be adapted to interface and
communicate with components 130, 160, 162, 172, and 180 to perform
method and processing steps as described herein. The processing
component 110 may be adapted to interface and communicate with
components 120, 140, 150, and 152.
Additionally, the logic device 170 may be adapted to receive image
signals from image capture component 130, process image signals
(e.g., to provide processed image data), store image signals or
image data in local memory 180, and/or retrieve stored image
signals from local memory 180. Certain embodiments of the first
camera 102 may include a plurality of image capture components.
Such embodiments may capture multiple scenes and the logic device
170 and/or the processing component 110 may then create a composite
image out of the multiple scenes captured by the plurality of image
capture components. The logic device 170 may also communicate data,
via the first communication component 172, to the control device
104. The first communication component 172 may communicate with the
control device 104 via an interface 190 established between the
first communication component 172 and the second communication
component 152 of the control device 104. In various embodiments,
the interface 190 may be a Bluetooth link, a WiFi link, a NFC link,
a wired connection, or another type of link between the first
camera 102 and the control device 104.
The local memory 180 and/or the memory component 120 includes, in
one embodiment, one or more memory devices (e.g., one or more
memories) to store data and information. The one or more memory
devices may include various types of memory including volatile and
non-volatile memory devices, such as RAM (Random Access Memory),
ROM (Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically-Erasable Read-Only
Memory), flash memory, or other types of memory. In one embodiment,
processing component 110 and/or the logic device 170 is adapted to
execute software stored in the memory component 120 and/or the
local memory 180, respectively, to perform various methods,
processes, and modes of operations in manner as described
herein.
Image capture component 130 includes, in one embodiment, one or
more sensors (e.g., any type of visible light, infrared, or other
type of detector, including a detector implemented as part of a
focal plane array or as a single detector) for capturing image
signals representative of an image, of scene 170. In one
embodiment, the sensors of image capture component 130 (e.g., an
infrared sensor) provide for representing (e.g., converting) a
captured thermal or radiometric image signal of scene 170 as
digital data (e.g., via an analog-to-digital converter included as
part of the sensor or separate from the sensor as part of imaging
system 100). The image capture component 130 may capture high
dynamic range radiometric thermal images or videos. The image
capture component 130 may be, for example, a bolometer based
imaging apparatus (e.g., the image capture component 130 may be an
array of sensors).
Optical components 132 may include one or more lenses configured to
receive electromagnetic radiation through an aperture 134 in
housing 106 and pass the electromagnetic radiation to image capture
component 130. Additionally, optical components 132 may include one
or more filters (e.g., warm filters, bandpass filters, low pass
filters, high pass filters, notch filters, and/or other optical
filters) to filter electromagnetic radiation before the radiation
reaches the image capture component 130. In certain other
embodiments, alternatively or in addition to filters located in
front of the electromagnetic radiation, processing component 110
may be configured to filter images captured by the image capture
component 130 with, for example, software within processing
component 110. In certain other embodiments, the optical filters
(e.g., warm filters, bandpass filters, low pass filters, high pass
filters, notch filters, and/or other optical filters) may be
integrated within the image capture component 130. For embodiments
where the image capture component 130 is an array, the optical
filters may be integrated within each sensor of the array and/or
integrated as one or more optical filters covering a plurality of
sensors.
The logic device 170 and/or the processing component 110 (via the
interface 190) may be adapted to receive image signals from the
image capture component 130, process image signals (e.g., to
provide processed image data), store image signals or image data in
the local memory 180 and/or the memory component 120, and/or
retrieve stored image signals from the respective memories. Image
data, either high dynamic range image data or low dynamic range
image data, may be transferred between the first camera 102 and the
control device 104 via the interface 190. In certain embodiments,
the image data transferred may be compressed image data. Processing
component 110 may be adapted to process image signals received to
provide image data (e.g., reconstructed image data) to the display
component 140 for viewing by a user.
Display component 140 includes, in one embodiment, an image display
device (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)) or various other
types of generally known video displays or monitors. Processing
component 110 may be adapted to display image data and information
on display component 140 that the processing component 110
retrieved from the memory component 120, processed from image data
received via the interface 190, or processed from any other source.
Display component 140 may include display electronics, which may be
utilized by processing component 110 to display image data and
information. Display component 140 may receive image data and
information directly from image capture component 130 via the
interface 190, from the logic device 170 via the interface 190, or
the image data and information may be transferred from memory
component 120.
In various aspects, display component 140 may be remotely
positioned (e.g., housed in a separate housing) from the image
capture component 130, and processing component 110 may be adapted
to remotely display image data and information on display component
140 via wired or wireless communication with display component 140,
as described herein.
Control component 150 includes, in one embodiment, a user input
and/or interface device having one or more user actuated
components, such as one or more push buttons, slide bars, rotatable
knobs or a keyboard, that are adapted to generate one or more user
actuated input control signals. Control component 150 may be
adapted to be integrated as part of display component 140 to
operate as both a user input device and a display device, such as,
for example, a touch screen device adapted to receive input signals
from a user touching different parts of the display screen.
Processing component 110 may be adapted to sense control input
signals from control component 150 and respond to any sensed
control input signals received therefrom.
Control component 150 may include, in one embodiment, a control
panel unit (e.g., a wired or wireless handheld control unit) having
one or more user-activated mechanisms (e.g., buttons, knobs,
sliders, or others) adapted to interface with a user and receive
user input control signals. In various embodiments, it should be
appreciated that the control panel unit may be adapted to include
one or more other user-activated mechanisms to provide various
other control operations of imaging system 100, such as auto-focus,
menu enable and selection, field of view (FoV), brightness,
contrast, gain, offset, spatial, temporal, and/or various other
features and/or parameters. In other embodiments, a variable gain
signal may be adjusted by the user or operator based on a selected
mode of operation.
In another embodiment, control component 150 may include a
graphical user interface (GUI), which may be integrated as part of
display component 140 (e.g., a user actuated touch screen), having
one or more images of the user-activated mechanisms (e.g., buttons,
knobs, sliders, or others), which are adapted to interface with a
user and receive user input control signals via the display
component 140. As an example for one or more embodiments as
discussed further herein, display component 140 and control
component 150 may represent appropriate portions of a smart phone,
a tablet, a personal digital assistant (e.g., a wireless, mobile
device), a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or other type of
device.
In certain embodiments, the first camera 102 may include the
control component 150 and/or the display component 140 instead of
or in addition to the control device 104. It is appreciated that
the various components described herein may be included on either
or both of the first camera 102 and the control device 104.
Sensing component 160 includes, in one embodiment, one or more
sensors to detect environmental conditions and/or operating
conditions of the imaging system 100. For example, the sensing
component 160 may include one or more environmental sensors that
may detect temperature, humidity, air pressure, lighting
conditions, and/or other conditions of the environment around one
or more components of the imaging system 100. Alternatively or
additionally, the sensing component 160 may include sensors that
may, for example, detect moisture and/or the formation of ice on
components of the imaging system 100 or components coupled to the
imaging system 100.
Processing component 110 and/or logic device 170 may be adapted to
communicate with sensing component 160 (e.g., by receiving sensor
information from sensing component 160) and image capture component
130 (e.g., by receiving data and information from image capture
component 130 and providing and/or receiving command, control,
and/or other information to or from other components of imaging
system 100). In certain embodiments, a component may communicate
with another component via the interface 190.
In various embodiments, sensing component 160 may be adapted to
provide data and information relating to system applications
including a handheld implementation and/or coupling implementation
associated with various types of vehicles (e.g., a land-based
vehicle, a watercraft, an aircraft, a spacecraft, or other vehicle)
or stationary applications (e.g., a fixed location, such as on a
structure). In one embodiment, sensing component 160 may include
communication devices that relay information to processing
component 110 via wireless communication. For example, sensing
component 160 may be adapted to receive and/or provide information
through a satellite, through a local broadcast transmission (e.g.,
radio frequency), through a mobile or cellular network and/or
through information beacons in an infrastructure (e.g., a
transportation or highway information beacon infrastructure) or
various other wired or wireless techniques (e.g., using various
local area or wide area wireless standards).
In another embodiment, imaging system 100 may include one or more
other types of sensing components 160, including environmental
and/or operational sensors, depending on the sensed application or
implementation, which provide information to processing component
110 (e.g., by receiving sensor information from each sensing
component 160). In various embodiments, other sensing components
160 may be adapted to provide data and information related to
environmental conditions, such as internal and/or external
temperature conditions, lighting conditions (e.g., day, night,
dusk, and/or dawn), humidity levels, specific weather conditions
(e.g., sun, rain, and/or snow), distance (e.g., laser rangefinder),
and/or whether a tunnel, a covered parking garage, or that some
type of enclosure has been entered or exited. Accordingly, other
sensing components 160 may include one or more conventional sensors
as would be known by those skilled in the art for monitoring
various conditions (e.g., environmental conditions) that may have
an effect (e.g., on the image appearance) on the data provided by
image capture component 130. The other sensing components 160 may
be located on the first camera 102, as shown in FIG. 1, on the
control device 104, on both the first camera 102 and the control
device 104, or, alternatively or additionally, on another device
separate from the first camera 102 and the control device 104.
In some embodiments, other sensing components 162 may include
devices that relay information to processing component 110 via
wireless communication. For example, each sensing component 162 may
be adapted to receive information from a satellite, through a local
broadcast (e.g., radio frequency) transmission, through a mobile or
cellular network and/or through information beacons in an
infrastructure (e.g., a transportation or highway information
beacon infrastructure) or various other wired or wireless
techniques.
The heater element 162 may be, for example, an electronic heater
configured to heat the housing 106, the image capture component
130, and/or another portion of the first camera 102 and/or the
control device 104. In certain embodiments, the heater element 162
may heat at least a portion of a lens barrel of the housing 106.
The heater element 162 may be attached to the lens barrel and/or
may be positioned so that heat generated by the heater element 162
may be conducted to the lens barrel. The lens barrel may include
one or more of the optical components 132. The lens barrel may be
configured to receive a de-icing system that may be installed to
prevent formation of ice on the optical components 132.
In various embodiments, components of imaging system 100 may be
combined and/or implemented or not, as desired or depending on
application requirements, with imaging system 100 representing
various operational blocks of a system. For example, processing
component 110 may be combined with memory component 120, image
capture component 130, display component 140, and/or sensing
component 160. In another example, processing component 110 may be
combined with image capture component 130 with only certain
operations of processing component 110 performed by circuitry
(e.g., a processor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a logic
device, or other circuitry) within image capture component 130. In
still another example, control component 150 may be combined with
one or more other components or be remotely connected to at least
one other component, such as processing component 110, via a wired
or wireless control device so as to provide control signals
thereto.
In one embodiment, second communication component 152 and/or first
communication component 172 may be implemented as a network
interface component (NIC) adapted for communication with a network
including other devices in the network. In various embodiments,
second communication component 152 and/or first communication
component 172 may include a wireless communication component, such
as a wireless local area network (WLAN) component based on the IEEE
802.11 standards, a wireless broadband component, mobile cellular
component, a wireless satellite component, or various other types
of wireless communication components including radio frequency
(RF), microwave frequency (MWF), and/or infrared frequency (IRF)
components adapted for communication with a network. As such,
second communication component 152 and/or first communication
component 172 may include an antenna coupled thereto for wireless
communication purposes. In other embodiments, the second
communication component 152 and/or first communication component
172 may be adapted to interface with a DSL (e.g., Digital
Subscriber Line) modem, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
modem, an Ethernet device, and/or various other types of wired
and/or wireless network communication devices adapted for
communication with a network. The first communication component 172
may send radiometric thermal images or video over the interface 190
to the second communication component 152.
FIG. 2 illustrates a camera in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a camera 102A that includes an
optical component 132 and a housing 106. The optical component 132
may similar to such optical components described in FIG. 1. The
optical component 132 may be one or more lenses. The one or more
lenses may be any appropriate lens material such as glass,
germanium, quartz glass, fluorite, plastic, meteoritic glass,
and/or Chalcogenide. In certain embodiments, the one or more lenses
may be relatively poor heat conductors (e.g., may be made from
material(s) with thermal conductivity of less than 1 W/m*deg).
The housing 106 may enclose an outer perimeter of the optical
component 132. As such, the optical component 132 may be set within
the housing 106. In certain embodiments, the optical components 132
may be set within a lens barrel of the housing 106. The lens barrel
may, for example, house the optical component 132 as well as allow
for adjustment of positioning of the optical component 132 within
the housing 106 by, for example, telescoping the lens barrel and/or
the positioning of the optical component 132. In certain
embodiments, the housing 106 may include additional components,
such as the heater element 162 as well as other components.
FIG. 3 illustrates a camera with an installed de-icing system in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates
a camera 102B with a housing 106 and a de-icing assembly 300. The
de-icing assembly 300 may include, at least, a de-icing window 302
and a window frame 304.
The de-icing window 302 may, in certain embodiments, be thermally
conductively coupled to the lens barrel of the housing 106. The
de-icing window 302 may include a material that is a relatively
good heat conductor (e.g., may be made from a material(s) with
thermal conductivity of more than 25 W/m*K) such as Float Zone
Silicon, single crystal sapphire, and/or germanium. In certain
applications, Float Zone Silicon may be used as a material for the
de-icing window 302 due to thermal conductivity, cost, durability,
optical, and/or other reasons. Certain embodiments of the de-icing
window 302 may be transparent in certain electromagnetic
wavelengths, such as visual, infrared, and/or other
wavelengths.
The de-icing window 302 may be coupled to the window frame 304. In
certain embodiments, the de-icing window 302 may be press-fit,
bonded, screwed into, glued, attached via fasteners, and/or coupled
to the window frame 304. The window frame 304 may, in certain
embodiments, be configured to couple to the lens barrel of the
housing 106. The window frame 304 may be coupled to the lens barrel
by, for example, threading onto a portion of the lens barrel (e.g.,
the lens barrel and the window frame 304 may each include
corresponding threaded portions), via snap fitting (e.g., through
hooks or formed snaps), through adhesives, through fasteners (e.g.,
a screw or multiple screws may hold the window frame 304 to the
lens barrel), through alignment of features on the lens barrel and
the window frame 304, and/or through other such techniques. In
various embodiments, the window frame 304 may be constructed as a
one-piece window frame or may be constructed from a plurality of
pieces. The window frame 304 may be configured to be coupled and
decoupled from the housing 106. In certain such embodiments, the
coupling and/or decoupling may be performed without tools or may be
performed with simple hand tool such as a screwdriver. As such, the
de-icing assembly 300 may be easily installed and removed and so
may be installed only when, for example, ice formation may be
possible due to conditions.
In certain embodiments, after the de-icing assembly 300 has been
coupled to the lens barrel, the de-icing window 302 may be in
direct contact with the lens barrel. In other embodiments, the
de-icing window 302 may be thermally conductively coupled to the
lens barrel via the window frame 304. In such embodiments, the
window frame 304 may also include a material that is a relatively
good heat conductor.
In certain embodiments, the de-icing window 302 may be a flat
window. A flat window may allow for even distribution of any ice
build-up on the de-icing window 302. Even distribution of ice
build-up may allow for quicker de-icing as all areas of the
de-icing window 302 may be melted within approximately the same
time period due to the even thickness of the ice build-up. As such,
a flat window avoids having thicker concentrations of ice.
Additionally, the de-icing window 302 may include one or a
plurality of de-icing windows. Embodiments including a plurality of
de-icing windows may allow for superior insulation of the optical
component 132 from the environment and thus may decrease the
possibility of ice formation on the optical component 132 even
more.
The camera 102B shown in FIG. 3 may be, in certain embodiments, the
camera 102A of FIG. 2 with the de-icing assembly 300 installed.
When installed, the de-icing assembly 300 may seal a volume between
the de-icing assembly 300 and the optical component 132. Sealing
may be accomplished with, for example, a gasket, such as the gasket
306 described in FIG. 4. Sealing the volume between the de-icing
assembly 300 and the optical component 132 may prevent formation of
ice on the optical component 302. For example, moisture from the
outside environment may be sealed out, and the volume may also be
heated due to heating of the de-icing window 302, the lens barrel
of the housing 106, and/or other components of the camera 102B and
as such the internal temperature of the volume may be sufficiently
high to prevent formation of ice.
FIG. 4 illustrates a cutaway view of a camera with an installed
de-icing system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
FIG. 4 shows a cutaway view of the camera 102B. The de-icing
assembly 300, the housing 106, the optical component 132 are shown
in FIG. 4. Additionally, FIG. 4 shows the gasket 306 and a heater
element 162.
In certain embodiments, the lens barrel may be heated by the heater
element 162. The heater element 162 may be, for example, an
electrical heater such as a strip heater. In certain such
embodiments, the heater element 162 may be disposed within the
housing 106, such as within the lens barrel of the housing 106. The
strip heater may be attached to a portion of the lens barrel. In
certain embodiments, the heater element 162 may be coupled to a
portion or the entire perimeter of a section of the lens barrel. In
embodiments where the heater element 162 is positioned around a
portion of the section of the lens barrel, portions of the heater
element 162 may be arranged in an evenly spaced manner. As such,
the heater element 162 may be positioned to evenly heat the lens
barrel and, thus, allow for even conduction of heat to the de-icing
assembly 300.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the de-icing assembly 300 may be
installed via snaps. Other embodiments may install the de-icing
assembly via other techniques. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
the de-icing window 302 may be coupled to the window frame 304. The
window frame 304 may be inserted into the lens barrel and may
contact the lens barrel. Heat from the lens barrel may be
conductively transferred from the lens barrel to the de-icing
window 302 via the window frame 304, though other embodiments may
conductively transfer heat from the lens barrel directly to the
de-icing window 302.
The gasket 306 may also be installed between the lens barrel of the
housing 106 and the window frame 304 and/or the de-icing window
302. The gasket 306 may seal the volume between the de-icing
assembly 300, the lens barrel, and the optical component 302 to
prevent formation of ice on the optical component 302. In certain
embodiments, the lens barrel may include features such as a raised
lip for the gasket 306 to be installed on as well as features such
as threads or receiving features for snaps to couple the de-icing
assembly 300 to the lens barrel. In certain embodiments, the gasket
306 may be inserted within the lens barrel first and then the
de-icing assembly 300 may be installed. The gasket 306 may be
compressed by the de-icing assembly 300 to seal the volume between
the de-icing window 302 and the optical component 132.
FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a process of assembling an
imaging system with a de-icing system and operating the de-icing
system in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. The
process described in FIG. 5 may be performed with an imaging
system, such as the imaging system 100 using the cameras and
components described in FIGS. 1-4.
In block 502, the gasket 306 may be inserted into the lens barrel
(e.g., inserted into an opening of the lens barrel that may contain
the optical components 132). In certain embodiments, the lens
barrel may include features holding the gasket 306 in place.
In block 504, the de-icing assembly 300 may be inserted into the
lens barrel and coupled to the lens barrel. As such, the de-icing
assembly 300 may be, for example, threaded onto the lens barrel,
snapped into the lens barrel, glued or otherwise bonded, attached
via fasteners (e.g., screws), or attached to the lens barrel
through another such technique. In certain embodiments, attaching
the de-icing assembly 300 may compress the gasket 306 to seal the
volume between the de-icing window 302 and the optical component
132.
In block 506, the sensing component 160 may detect conditions of
the imaging system 100 and/or the environment around the imaging
system 100. For example, the sensing component 160 may detect
formation of ice on the optical component 132 of the camera 102,
may detect environment conditions such as ambient temperature,
humidity, air pressure, wind speed, ambient lighting conditions,
and other such conditions, and/or may detect a surface temperature
of a component of the imaging system 100 such as the de-icing
window 302, the lens barrel or another portion of the housing 106,
the optical component 132, and/or another component of the imaging
system 100. The sensing component 160 may output data associated
with such conditions to the logic device 170 and/or the processing
component 110. Certain embodiments may detect multiple
conditions.
In block 508, the conditions detected may be compared to one or
more thresholds to determine whether the thresholds have been
surpassed. For example, if the sensing component 160 is configured
to detect an ambient and/or surface temperature, the temperature
detected may be compared to determine whether the temperature
detected is below a threshold temperature (e.g., a threshold
temperature of between 32-40 degrees Fahrenheit). In certain
embodiments, the threshold may be changed depending on other
detected ambient conditions such as air pressure, wind speed,
and/or lighting conditions. Additionally, if the sensing component
160 is configured to detect ice build-up, the threshold may be the
detection of ice and/or the detection of a threshold amount of
ice.
If the threshold has not been detected to be surpassed, the process
may revert back to block 506 and continue to detect conditions. If
the threshold has been detected to be surpassed, the process may
continue to block 510. In block 510, power may be provided to the
heater element 162. The heater element 162 may then generate
heat.
In block 512, the heat generated by the heater element 162 may be
conducted to the de-icing window. In certain embodiments, heat
generated by the heater element 162 may be conducted to the housing
106 or a portion thereof and then conducted to the de-icing window
302. In certain embodiments, the heat may be conducted to the
de-icing window 302 via the window frame 304 and/or via other
components. The de-icing window 302 may then be heated and
formation of ice on the de-icing window 302 as well as the optical
component 132 may be mitigated and/or prevented.
In optional block 514, de-icing of the de-icing window 302 and/or
the optical component 132 may be confirmed by, for example, certain
sensors of the sensing component 160. In certain such embodiments,
if the de-icing window 302 and/or the optical component 132 are
detected to be free of ice, the imaging system 100 may return to
detecting conditions in block 506. Other embodiments may power the
heater element 510 for a set period of time. In certain
embodiments, the heater element 162 may be powered off upon
confirmation that the de-icing process has been completed. If
de-icing has not been confirmed, the process may return to block
510.
In certain embodiments, if the conditions for powering the heater
element 162 have been detected, the heater element 162 may continue
to be powered until, for example, the imaging system 100 has been
powered off. In other embodiments, there may be manual controls for
a user to power the heater element 162 and thus de-ice the de-icing
window. In additional embodiments, the heater element 162 may be
continuously powered on. Such embodiments may include components
(such as a sensor or a connection where, if the de-icing assembly
300 is coupled to the camera 102, an electrical connection is
formed) that may determine when the de-icing assembly 300 has been
coupled to the camera 102 and may, upon such determination, power
the heater element 162 accordingly.
In various embodiments, a network may be implemented as a single
network or a combination of multiple networks. For example, in
various embodiments, the network may include the Internet and/or
one or more intranets, landline networks, wireless networks, and/or
other appropriate types of communication networks. In another
example, the network may include a wireless telecommunications
network (e.g., cellular phone network) adapted to communicate with
other communication networks, such as the Internet. As such, in
various embodiments, the imaging system 100 may be associated with
a particular network link such as for example a URL (Uniform
Resource Locator), an IP (Internet Protocol) address, and/or a
mobile phone number.
Where applicable, various embodiments provided by the present
disclosure can be implemented using hardware, software, or
combinations of hardware and software. Also where applicable, the
various hardware components and/or software components set forth
herein can be combined into composite components comprising
software, hardware, and/or both without departing from the spirit
of the present disclosure. Where applicable, the various hardware
components and/or software components set forth herein can be
separated into sub-components comprising software, hardware, or
both without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
In addition, where applicable, it is contemplated that software
components can be implemented as hardware components, and
vice-versa.
Software in accordance with the present disclosure, such as
non-transitory instructions, program code, and/or data, can be
stored on one or more non-transitory machine readable mediums. It
is also contemplated that software identified herein can be
implemented using one or more general purpose or specific purpose
computers and/or computer systems, networked and/or otherwise.
Where applicable, the ordering of various steps described herein
can be changed, combined into composite steps, and/or separated
into sub-steps to provide features described herein.
Embodiments described above illustrate but do not limit the
invention. It should also be understood that numerous modifications
and variations are possible in accordance with the principles of
the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined
only by the following claims.
* * * * *